PHI GAM NEWSLETTER 787ft. SIGMA MU CHAPTER JULY 1988 address the past, now Graduate Brother, I assure you we have not forgotten you. I realize the lack of conununioation between the Chapter and its graduates has been very noticeable, and I hope you, once you hear the reasons, will understand. The past semester has been a rebuilding of sorts for the undergraduates. The beginning of the semester introduced the Chapter to a problem which needed immediate is when the Chapter, your Chapter, needs you the most and can offer you the most opportunities to become actively involved with Sigma Mu again. Graduate donations of money are okay, but we want to see you enjoying the Chapter's activities, positive attitude, and new levels of success. Phi Gamma Delta at Mississippi State is about to rise to heights which it may have never seen before, or at least has not seem for some time, and we would totalling approximately $17,000 that has plagued the chapter for some time in every area of chapter operations love for you to be a part of our upward march. We want you to see a Chapter carrying on your ideals and "pressing on" toward new horizons, so that you can truly say, "I am proud from to be a FIJI." attention— an Rush accumulated activities to debt social functions to programs for graduate brothers. The brothers buckled down for a lean semester. A swap with the Zetas, Black Diamond Formal, and a FIJI Island for the penny-conscious dotted the social calendar. GRADUATE ACTIVITIES INCREASE Accompanying the rise in undergraduate activities, a heightened level of graduate activity highlighted the Spring of 1988. The Norris Pig Dinner was attended by 40 However, in addition to meeting all chapter expenses and overcoming t he huge debt (an accomplishment of which we are very proud!), the brothers spent the semester repairing Chapter programs that have long suffered. The Sigma Mu Pledge graduate brothers-- Manual, last revised in 1979 was rewritten and updated, as were the Chapter Bylaws and House Rules, last revised in 1980. The Chapter's Pledge Education Program and Pre- attendance, of Initiation activities were re- breathe a new life - r worked and fully documented. bylaw inserted into the revised was A drug Chapter Bylaws as required by Inter national Headquarters and will be, up for approval with the remaindef ofthe revisions upon their approval by the Archons. An Alcohol Awareness Seminar, originally scheduled for the Spring semester was re-scheduled for the Fall semester. 11 more than the previous year. We hope this total will more than double this year as Sigma Mu will be celebrating its 20th Norris Pig Dinner. In addition a to brothers took the reins Chapter increased new group of graduate Advisors of the Board and began to into the untapped source of information and continuity for the undergraduate chapter. Steve Edwards (P.O. Box 3409/Jackson, MS 39207) now chairs the Board, which has come alive with two successful business meetings already. Since the Board's restructuring in midFebruary, it has grown from five members to ten, each with specific areas of undergraduate chapter In addition .to gains in chapter efficiency and programming, the brothers combined to post a 3.001 overall grade point average. When operations to oversee. in Jackson, MS revealed the interest averaged among graduates with the Fall semester's 2.877, this showing gives the FIJIs a year-ending 2.939 grade point— first among all fraternities and second among all Greek organizations! As you can semester where programs see, many suffered it of to has been a Sigma Mu's benefit the overall condition of the Chapter. However, I also think you will see we are ready to spring into an outstanding semester in the upcoming Fall of 1988. Though you off by lack of may have been turned graduate programs in Along the same lines, a breakfast held at Shoney's on County Line Road area Jackson graduate to chapter. form a Among the Phi Gams attending the breakfast were two University of Tennessee graduates. Another breakfast gettogether is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26 at 8:45 Line Road a.m. at the County Shoney's right off 1-55. The interest seems to be there... if you are interested in upcoming graduate meetings to investigate the possibilities of a Jackson-area graduate chapter, contact Gary Blair (5888 Kristen Dr./Jackson, MS 39211) at 957-1974 from 5-9 p.m. \r\n•b£0£Z ;:H0 'puouupg aATjQ MOOjqXax JOGS TT^M aE'ui Z91G£ SH 'nSW NJ jawBan " vsTiS^S'.; UPCOMING ACTIVITIES Tuesday, July 26 Jackson-area graduate breakfast at Shoney's-- County Line Road. Friday, July 29 SUMMER RUSH PARTIES Jackson, Memphis, Tupelo Robert Bigelow, Rush Chairman Drawer FN / MSU, MS 39782 Saturday, July 30 601-323-5287 SU" HUSH PARTY August 10-14 Lu-^ pal Lla River Bend in Columbus, MS 14Gth "^Mile High" Ekklesia Maxj:lat±.»G,ity Center - Denver,CO RUSH' i^O^^OP August 17-18 Lakfe-liak'O'Khata - Louisville, MS August 19-23 Saturday, Sept. 3 Saturday, Sept. 17 Saturday, Oct. 25 RUSH M..^.U vs^ La. Tech - Starkville M.S.U. vs. Georgia - Starkville Saturday, Nov. 12 HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES M.S.U. vs. Alabama - Starkville M.S.U. vs. L.S.U. - Starkville February 18 or February 25 20th ANNUAL NORRIS PIG DINNER •»Mak5 Plans to attendi GOT A RUSHEE? SEND RUSH RECOMMENDATIONS TO: ROBERT BIGELOW - DRAWER FN - MSU, MS 39762 Please send the rushee's full name and Tnailing address, and your name so we can let you know how things are going. FACELIFT The Phi Gam House is in the initial stages of a big restoration project. A less-than-cautious building contractor combined with 10 years of fraternity life to wreak havoc on the Chapter house. Interior work includes shower repairs, floor drainage repairs, floor joist replacements, ceiling reconstruction, and re-carpeting. The burden of the costly project is being carried by Mississippi Fijis, Inc. and may result in a total of $15,000 to $20,000 of work. For further information, contact House Corporation President, A1 Brock (Box 5939 / Greenville, MS 38701). SIGN-OFF I hope you have enjoyed this open and informative look at your Chapter. also hope to see you during the upcoming football season, or at I least at the TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY NORRIS PIG DINNER in February. Come by the Chapter House any time. After all. Phi Gamma Delta is not for college days alone. Perge: Chris Saucier (1470 Vernon Cir./Jackson, MS 39204) Chapter President